The Yorkshire Dales is home to some of the best waterfalls in the country and many of them are easy to get to. In this guide, you’ll find three easy and accessible waterfall walks including Hardraw Force, the highest single drop waterfall in the Dales, Cotter Force, one of the National Parks' most accessible and Wain Wath Force, one of the best places to wild swim. There’s also a bonus waterfall at the end if you want to extend one of your walks. 

Sometimes, the water in the rivers and waterfalls can appear a very undesirable brown colour. Don't be worried or put off by this! We affectionally like to pretend this is where good old Yorkshire Tea comes from but it's just the staining from the peat high up in the hills where the water originates from. Don't let it put you off from having a dunk! 

It's also worth noting that although these are fabulous places to swim, cold water presents a risk where hypothermia can set in quickly if you stay in the water too long or don't warm up quickly afterwards. Always go prepared for any wild swimming adventures by packing warm layers like a set of My Urban Trail thermals (especially for the colder months) or a bobble hat to swim in (it takes the edge off the cold, trust me!). 

Hardraw Force

Hardraw Force, England’s highest single drop waterfall, drops 30m into a deep pool below. Used as a filming location in the 1991 film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves with Kevin Costner, the waterfall is a spectacular site. It sits within the grounds of the Green Dragon Inn, which dates all the way back to the 13th century and the walk to it is accessible and family friendly. 

Please note that Hardraw Force is located on private land and there is an admission cost for visiting the waterfall. Access to it is via the on-site heritage centre. 

Hardraw Force key information

• Parking: The car park behind the Green Dragon Inn at Bellow Hill, Hardraw (DL8 3LZ)
• Cost: Parking is free but there is a £4 admission cost per adult to visit the waterfall. This is via card payment and discounts are available for families and seniors if the heritage centre is open. If it is closed, the £4 payment per person is made via the card reader on the turnstiles. (Information correct at time of writing January 2025)
• Dog friendly: Well behaved and well-controlled dogs welcome
• Facilities: the car park has a toilet block and the on-site Heritage Centre has a tea room. Check their website for opening times.
• Walk time: 10 minutes from the car park
• Accessibility: The path directly to the waterfall is levelled and gravel so is suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs. The other paths surrounding the waterfall and the higher path is uneven and prone to rockfall so great care should be taken here.

Can you swim in Hardraw Force?

Yes! There are no signs up to say that swimming is not permitted.

Hardraw Force is a great place for a swim with easy entry to the water and a deep pool to swim in. Standing alongside the waterfall is a breath-taking experience and you can really feel the force of the water as it rushes down from above. Some of the rocks can get slippery though and as always, take care in cold water.

It’s also worth noting that as this is a popular visitor attraction, there might be lots of onlookers so it’s respectful to consider their enjoyment of the site too and wait to swim during a quieter time. 

How long is the walk to Hardraw Force?

The walk to Hardraw Force from the car park is less than ten minutes along good paths but there are numerous other trails above the waterfall through the woodland that you can venture onto. 

After leaving the visitor centre, the path leads directly to the waterfall through the woods and you can view it from both sides of the river by crossing the bridge next to the footpath. 

Cotter Force

Cotter Force is one of the Yorkshire Dales’ most accessible waterfalls and is less than ten minute walk from the roadside parking area. Secluded within beautiful woodland, Cotter Force is a series of waterfalls on Cotterdale Beck with two 3-metre drops.

This is a beautiful place to visit in summer when the trees are covered in leaves and even though you're not far from the road, the location feels peaceful and far from civilisation. There's a bench that looks straight to the waterfall, making this the perfect place to stop and admire the view. 

Cotter Force Key Information

• Parking: free parking in a layby off the A684 not far from Appersett
• Dog friendly: Yes
• Facilities: None
• Walk time: 10 minutes from the layby to the waterfall.
• Accessibility: the path is suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs

Can you swim in Cotter Force? 

Absolutely! The rocks can be a bit slippery (as always) getting into the water but the pool is perfect for swimming in and gradually gets deeper towards the middle. 

How do you walk to Cotter Force?

After parking in the layby, where there is space for 5 or 6 cars, cross the bridge over the River Ure. Immediately turn left where the path is signposted. The path follows alongside the river, leading directly to Cotter Force after no more than ten minutes. 

Wain Wath Force

Wain Wath Force is a stunning waterfall on the River Swale just outside of the tiny hamlet of Keld in the Upper Swaledale area of the Yorkshire Dales. This area is home to some fabulous waterfalls on this stretch of river and Wain Wath is one of the easiest to visit. Even though the falls aren't particularly high at 1.5m, the river widens here and the water tumbles over the rocky shelf to create a beautiful scene. It's the perfect place to sit for a while with a picnic, especially on a warm summer day. 

Wain Wath Force key information

• Parking: Either in the small layby directly next to the waterfall or at the car park in Keld if you want a longer walk with a visit to another waterfall (payment via honesty box)
• Dog friendly: Yes
• Facilities: None at the waterfall. If parking in Keld, there are public toilets and there is Keld Green Cafe for snacks (but check opening times online).
• Walk time: 1 minute to the waterfall from the roadside parking or a one hour/3.3km loop if you choose the longer walk option
• Accessibility: waterfall access not suitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs. 

Can you swim in Wain Wath Force?

Wain Wath Force is an idyllic and peaceful spot to enjoy a swim. The swimming area in the river below it is huge and the water gets deep quickly. 

The water level here is suitable to jump in from the rocks above and on a warm summer's day you'll most likely find other swimmers here doing just that. However, always make these decisions for yourself as water levels can change throughout the year and help in an emergency would take a long time to get to you as there isn't always mobile signal in this area. 

How long is the walk to Wain Wath Force?

For the easiest and most accessible option, you can park in the tiny roadside layby alongside the waterfall itself. However, there is only space for one car and it's important to always leave space for cars, tractors and other vehicles to pass safely so I don't recommend this. 

It's much nicer to walk to Wain Wath Force from Keld via a 3.3km/one hour loop and doing this means you'll be able to stop at another waterfall called East Gill Force on the way, which also just happens to be deep enough for a drunk too! 

Walking route to East Gill Force and Wain Wath Force from Keld

Starting in the village of Keld at the main car park at Rukin's Campsite (be sure to pay for parking via the honesty Box), the route follows the main footpath out the village and veers downhill to cross the river via a bridge. 

Keep left as the path heads uphill again and East Gill Force will be immediately infront of you. Although not particularly deep, the waterfall is beautiful and it's still a great place to play around in the water for a bit. Above the main waterfall, which drops around 6m, there are a series of waterfalls which in heavy rain, are an impressive sight! 

From here, the route follows part of the Pennine Way to the left and away from the waterfall. Head through some farm buildings then keep left on the lower path as it rises above the river and cuts along the hillside.

Eventually, you'll meet a quiet road where you want to turn left and head back downhill. Cross the river and then turn right where Wain Wath Force will appear. 

The route back to Keld is back along the main road. This is a single track road and very quiet so you'll be unlucky to have to dodge more than a few cars. 

The OS route for this short walk is available to download here:

If you'd rather the route on Komoot, you can also download that via this link too. 

For additional UK outdoor adventures, wild swimming, hiking routes and more, check my other blog posts here on MY URBAN TRAIL and follow me @Wild_0utdoors on Instagram.

Happy waterfall hunting!